Intro to Scottish Highland Dance

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Sundays from 10-10:55am

January 4 - February 22​​​​​

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Cost:

$75 at registration

$75 auto payment on February 1st

Instructor: Lynda (Ochs) Itoi & Katie Ochs

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About this workshop

Interested in exploring a cultural form of dance rooted in Scottish tradition? Join us for an 8-week series on Scottish Highland dance! Highland dance has been around for centuries, but you will find that it contains many movements similar to other forms of dance such as tap and ballet. During our eight classes together, you will be introduced to basic movements, steps, and dances from the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance Highland textbook.

 

In addition to learning movements and steps from dances such as the Highland Fling and Scottish Lilt, we will cover some of the history of Highland dance, costuming, and more. Highland dance involves a lot of hopping and springing, so be prepared for a good cardio workout! Each class will begin with thorough warm-up and will incorporate cross-training exercises to best prepare the body for Highland movements. Prior dance experience is strongly recommended. Instructors will bring all equipment needed for your class, so just bring yourself!

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Instructor Bios

Lynda (Ochs) Itoi and Katie Ochs are sisters who have been competing in Highland dance in the Pacific Northwest since the 90s. Both achieved the Premier standard (the highest level) at age 10, and have competed successfully together in various choreography competitions, even placing on the national stage. After retiring from competition, Lynda served in various roles on the board of the Seattle Highland Dance Association, including as president for ten years, and co-chaired the 2023 ScotDance USA National Championship Weekend, an event that brings hundreds of dancers from all over the world to the Northwest. In addition, she served as the Northwest Regional Delegate from 2018-2020, liaising between our U.S. governing body and professionals of the Northwest Region. Lynda previously taught the Scottish Country Dancing series held at The Studio in Issaquah. Katie has been a seven-time Northwest Regional finalist and finished sixth overall at the U.S. National Championships in 2016. Katie was part of the Alma College Kiltie Dance Company and has performed as part of the Highland dance company for five military tattoos across the globe. Katie recently retired this summer from competing after completing her goal of dancing at the World Highland Dance Championship held in Scotland. Both Lynda and Katie are certified teachers under the British Association of Teachers and Dancers, and Lynda is also an active member of the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance.